Advertisement

Trade show

Ryne Sandberg

The New York Mets and Boston Red Sox are making headlines with this week's offseason moves. Which begs the question: What are the New York Yankees going to do?

There's no doubt George Steinbrenner is going to spend (as always) this offseason. I would think that George will make a huge push to get Johnny Damon since he is probably the best player in this free-agent market.

Damon would fill two holes for the Yanks. His presence would allow Bernie Williams to quietly leave the Yankees and it would ensure that Derek Jeter can move back to his No. 2 spot in the batting order, where he is most productive.

I don't see the Yankees making too many other moves. They could use a couple of arms in the bullpen, but after locking up Hideki Matsui, they should be all set to make another run at the American League pennant.

Let's take a closer look at the week's news:

The problem with this trade – for the Chicago White Sox – is that Thome has been plagued with injuries. Still, I don't expect the Sox to make a run at keeping Paul Konerko as part of a first baseman/designated hitter duo with Thome, so the World Series MVP will likely end up with the Los Angeles Angels. Also, the shipping of Aaron Rowand to the Phillies means the White Sox could make a push to acquire Juan Pierre by sending the Marlins some minor leaguers.

I like this move to get Delgado. Omar Minaya is doing everything he can to put his team back on top. Delgado had a so-so year by his standards last season, but he is a proven left-handed bat that can anchor any lineup.

The Mets were not a powerful team in 2005 (they tied for sixth in the NL with 175 home runs), but with the emergence of David Wright as a major league hitter, they're going to need a proven power bat to back him up. With the trade of Mike Cameron to San Diego, Delgado will be needed even more.

The Mets are overpaying for a closer due to the way bullpens are today. There are only about five closers in the league that you can count on day in and day out (Brad Lidge, Trevor Hoffman, Mariano Rivera, Eric Gagne and Wagner), and if you get the opportunity to sign one of those five, you should jump at the opportunity and pay.

The Mets have a ton of resources to make these moves, and these moves need to be made. The team must show its fans that it is committed to winning. I wonder if the Mets would get into the Rafael Furcal sweepstakes. Jose Reyes has been inconsistent at shortstop and the Mets could use a proven bat at short and in the leadoff spot.

I'm not sure about bringing Beckett to Fenway Park. Power pitchers in general have a tough time winning there because of the short porch in left. If Beckett wants to be successful in Boston, he is going to have to learn how to move the ball away to right-handed power hitters and make them hit the ball to the vastness of right-center field.

If Manny leaves Boston, David Ortiz is going to have a heck of a time finding any pitches to hit. Those two were the best 3-4 hitters in the game last season and they were only that good because of each other. They fed off each other's enthusiasm and their passion for hitting. Seeing fastballs when you're ahead in the count will do that for you.

  • Marlins out of South Florida?

The fact that the Florida Marlins have been in Miami since 1993 and still don't have a new stadium makes me think they should take a serious look at relocating. They have won a pair of World Series but have been forced to dismantle their team every couple of years because of payroll concerns. Fans just haven't seemed to take to baseball in Florida, whether it's Tampa or Miami.

If the Marlins leave, I would look for them to relocate to Las Vegas. Team officials have already met with Las Vegas officials about a possible move and it makes all the sense in the world. The city has the revenue and the tourist dollars to field and support a team and build a new stadium.